Persian Rug Regions Guide: Tabriz, Isfahan, Qom, Kashan, Nain & Tribal
Every region of Iran is known for its own knotting style, design school and colour palette. This guide explains how Tabriz, Isfahan, Qom, Kashan, Nain and the tribal weaves of the Qashqai and Bakhtiari differ, so you can recognise a rug's origin or choose the style that suits your taste.
Why a rug's origin matters
The region of origin determines the knot type (Persian or Turkish), the source of the wool or silk, the colour palette, and even the school of design. Understanding these differences helps you judge authenticity and choose a style that fits your interior. The region of origin is always recorded on a rug's physical certificate.
Tabriz: the home of pictorial carpets and Iran's export hub
Tabriz and the nearby town of Sardroud are the birthplace of pictorial carpets: works that recreate historical scenes, Qajar-era bazaars, or reproductions of classical paintings in extremely fine knots. Traditional Tabriz workshops use the symmetrical Turkish knot and blend silk with kork wool, typically in copper and soft terracotta tones. See the Pictorial Rugs collection.
Isfahan: Shah Abbasi refinement and geometric symmetry
Isfahan carpets are known for Shah Abbasi arabesques, a precise central medallion, and near-mathematical symmetry. A silk warp combined with fine kork wool pile allows extremely fine detail, and a balanced red-and-indigo palette gives the rug a classical, regal character.
Qom: the world's specialist in pure silk
Qom is renowned for 100% silk carpets woven at very high knot densities, sometimes reaching 70 to 85 raj. Common motifs include garden panels (kheshti) and prayer-niche (mehrabi) layouts, with a palette of ivory, turquoise, and gold. Read more about knot density.
Kashan and Nain: deep-coloured heritage and cream-toned refinement
Kashan, with its diamond-shaped medallions and deep crimson-and-indigo palette, represents one of Iran's oldest carpet-weaving traditions. Nearby Nain, using fine kork wool on a silk foundation, weaves rugs in cream and ivory tones with a refinement close to the Isfahan school, a style now also used in modern designs. See the Modern Rugs collection.
Qashqai and Bakhtiari nomads: authentic kilims and gabbehs
Qashqai and Bakhtiari tribal weaves feature asymmetrical geometric patterns and nature symbols such as nightingales and ibex, created from memory rather than a paper cartoon. They are woven from wool hand-spun from the weavers' own flocks and dyed with plants such as madder and indigo, which is why no two kilims are ever identical. See the Kilims collection.
Quick regional comparison
| Region | Material & knot | Typical palette | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tabriz | Silk & kork, Turkish knot | Copper, soft terracotta | Pictorial carpets & export |
| Isfahan | Silk warp, kork pile | Balanced red & indigo | Shah Abbasi symmetry |
| Qom | 100% pure silk | Ivory, turquoise, gold | Highest knot density |
| Kashan | Wool & silk | Deep crimson, indigo | Diamond medallions |
| Nain | Fine kork, silk warp | Cream & ivory | Refinement close to Isfahan |
| Qashqai & Bakhtiari | Hand-spun wool, Turkish knot | Madder red, orange | Tribal kilims & gabbehs |
How to identify a rug's origin
The design (medallions and arabesques for city weaves versus asymmetrical geometric patterns for tribal pieces), the pile and foundation materials, and the knot type on the back of the rug are the main clues. For certainty, ask the seller for a written certificate or consult the specialists at Jalili Collection.